Typewriting machine



Nov. 6, 1928. 1,690,826

A. G. F. KUROWSKI TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Oct. 23, 1924 Patented Nov. 6, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED G. F. KURowsKr, or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR "To nnnnnwoon ELLIOTT msnn'n COMPANY, on NEW YORK, N. x, A CORPORATION on DELAWARE.

TYPEWRITING MACHINE.

Application filed ctober23, 1924. Serial No. 745,299.

This invention relates to line-spacing means for typewriting machines, and there 15 disclosed mechanism for adjusting the platen through fractions of regular line-spaces, f0rwardly or rearwardly, to enable letters or able to the machine as a unit and including a finger-lever having a pair of spaced dogs or teeth Athrow of the lever, forwardly or rearwardly from a normal central position, causesone of said dogs or teeth to engage one of the teeth of the usual linespace wheel to turn the latter and the platen fractionally in one direction or the other.

According to one featureof the invention adjustable means is provided for limiting thethrow of the lever in both directions, so as to adjust the printing position. of the exponents or symbols with relationto the letters or symbols appearing in the regular line-space.

Another feature is the provision of means for securely maintaining the lever in position when the same has been thrown forwardly or rearwardly against one or the other of its eccentric gages or stops.

, Another feature is the provision of a do vice of the above character which is both simple and inexpensive in construction,and which may be readily fitted to any standard typewriting machine by removing theleft cover plate from the platen-frame, and, without any alteration in the machine, substituting the device in place of the removed coverplate.

A further feature embodies an arrangement whereby a plate carrying spaced dogs maybe readily changed for another plate having differently-spaced dogs, so asto convert the mechanism for use with a line-space wheel having an unusual number of teeth.

Other features and advantages will here inafterappear.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a platen:

frame and associated parts, showing my improvement in place thereon.

Figure 2 is a front View of the mechanism shown in Figure 1, with portions broken away for clearness of illustration.

Figure 3 is a view showing the'finger-lever thrown in one direction.

Figure 4 is a similarvview to Figure 3, but

showing the lever thrown in the opposite direction.

Figure 5 through a portion of the mechanism.

Figure 6 is a detail of a notched member having a dog-carrying plate attached thereto. Figure 7 is a detailof a plate in which the dogs are spaced differently than in Figure 6.

A platen 10" is fast to a shaft 11 which is jouinaled in aplaten-frame 12, and the usual type 13 are arranged to be driven toward said platen to print upon a work-sheet S. A handknob 14 or the regular line-space mechanism may be utilized to turn the platen. A notched or toothed line-space wheel 15 is mounted upon the left end of the shaft 11.

and a detent 1G meshes withthe teeth of said wheel to control the spacing of the printing lines. r

is a fragmental sectional VlQW' In applying my improved fractional line i spacer to a typewriting machine, the usual left-hand cover-plate is removed from the platen-frame 12. A cover-plate 17, comprising a top strip 18 and a depending apron 19, is arranged to befitted upon the left portion of the platen-frame from which the regular cover-plate was removed, and is secured in position thereon by cover-plate screws 20. The apron 19 is cut away as at 21 to provide spacethrough which some ofv the parts ofthe device project. A bridgepiece 22 is secured upon the outer face o fthe apron 19 by means of screws23, 241 and 25.; A bushing 26 passes through a perforation 27 in that portion of the bridge-piece which overlies the cut-away portion 21, the'bushing being securely fastened" therein by 7 any means found suitable, such as riveting over the rear edges thereof-intoa countersunk portion 28 forming the rear edges of said perforation of the bridge-piece 22. The bushing 26 provides a bearing fora stubshaft 29 which is squared at its outer end, as indicated at 30, to receive a squared perforation of a fingerdever 31, and a screw 32 is threaded into a perforation 33 of said squared portion of the stub-shaft 29 to secure said lever 31 tothe stub-shaft. The. rear portion ofthe stub-shaft 29 is reduced as at 34, and passes through a perforation 35 in a substantially disk-shaped detent 36,

- flat cam-face 12 adjacent each side of the In Figure 7 there is shown a plate38 in which the space between its dogs or teeth 39? and 10 issomewhat less than that of the plate 38, and it is customary for a purchaser to specify the number of teeth in the linespace wheel with which the device is to be used, so that the proper plate for that particular wheel will be provided. It is obvious that a plate having teeth spaced at greater or less distance apart than those of Figure 6 may be required. for use with a very different wheel as regards the number of its teeth. A detent-spring 43 has a bent over ear a l by means of which the same is positioned upon the bridge-piece 22 and secured thereto by means of a screw 45. The free end of the detent-spring 4.3 is bent to form a V, as shown at 46, and is arranged to engage the V-shaped notch 42 of the detent 36, when the lever 31 is invertical or inoperative position. I

It will be noted that the teeth 39 and l0 of the detent 36 are disposed closely adjacent the teeth of the line-space wheel 15, and engagethe same when the finger-lever 31 is thrown in either direction. After a regular line-space movement of the platen 10, a throw of the lever 31 in a rearward direction, as shown in Figure 3, causes the tooth 450 to engage the tooth 10 of the line-space wheel 15, and move the platen through a fraction of a line-space, so as to place the platen in position to receive typed exponents or symbols adjacent the upper portions of the regular typed impressions, such as shown on the sheet 8, in Figure 2. Referring to Figure 4, a throw of the lever 31 forwardly causes the tooth 39 to engage the tooth 39 on the wheel 15 and turn the platen through a fractional angle in the other direction, so as to enable exponents, or the like, to be written adjacent the lower portions or regular typed impressions. A return throw of the lever from either of its fractional spacing movements to its normal central or idle position starts the platen and line-space wheel back toward initial position owing to the shape of the teeth 39 and 4:0, whichjfit down into the notches between the The detent 36 has a V-.

teeth of the wheel 15 and, press against the adjacent teeth 39 and 40", respectively, of the wheel in disengaging themselves therefrom during a part of the return stroke.-

relation to the regular impressions with which they are associated. It will be seen that in either direction of throw of the lever 31, the detent-spring 43, after becoming disengaged from the V notch 4-2, presses against one of the cam-faces 42 of the detent 36, which has a camming action with said detent-spring 43 to press the lever 31 firmly against one of the eccentric gages, thus eliminating any tendency of the platen to move during a typing operation.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and a revoluble linespacing" mechanism, including a notchedwheel, of a fractional line-space mechanism comprising adouble-actingspring, a pivoted lever movablein either direction by said spring, a pair of dogs or teeth rigid with said lever and spaced apart, so that one or the other engages with the notched-wheel when the lever is thrown in one direction or the other to turn the platen forwardly or backwardly through a fraction of a regular line-space, and adjustable stop means for limiting the throw of said lever in either direction, said lever being pressed against said stop means by said spring when thrown in either direction. V

2. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and a revoluble line-spacing mechanism, including a notched-wheel, of a fractional 11118 5131106 mechanism comprising a spring, a plvoted lever, a pair of dogs or teeth rigid with said lever and spacedr apart, so that one or the other engages with the notched-wheel when the lever is thrown in one direction or the other to turn the platen forwardly or backwardly through a fraction of a regularline-space, and a pair of adjustable eccentric disks for stopping the throw of said lever in either direction, said lever being continuously pressed by said spring against one of said disks upon being thrown in either direction.

3. In a typewriting machine, the combinatral position, an eccentric disk for variably limiting the forward throw of said lever, and an eccentric disk for variably limiting the rearward throw thereof, said lever being continuously pressed by said spring in one direction or the other upon movement of the lever from normal position. i

4. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, a platen-frame,and a regular line-space mechanism, including a notched-wheel, of a fractional line-space mechanism, including a cover-plate arranged to be secured upon the platen-frame, a lever mounted for movement on said cover-plate, a pair of dogs or teeth rigid with saidlever and spaced apart, so that one or the otherengages with the notched-wheel when the lever is thrown in one direction or the other to turn the platen forwardly or backwardlyin said bearing, a detent-bearing disk secured to said lever, and further including a pair of dogs or teeth spaced apart so that one or the other engages with the notched-wheel when the lever is thrown in one'direction or the other to turn the platen forwardly or backwardly through a fraction of a regular linespace, an adjustable eccentric disk secured upon said plate on each side of said lever for controlling the throw of the same, and a detent-spring arranged to engage said detentbearing disk to hold said lever in a normally upright position, or to press said lever against either of said eccentric disks.

6. In a typewritlng machine, the combination with a platen and a line-spacing wheel therefor, of a fractional line-spacing mechanism for turning said wheel backwardly or forwardly through a part of a regular linespace, said mechanism including adjustable means for controlling thedegree of fractional movement of said platen in either direction selectively, and a double-acting spring, said mechanism being movable by said spring in either direction against said means;

7. In a typewriting machine, the combina tion with a platen, and a line-spacing wheel therefor, of a fractional line-spacing device arranged to be attached to the machine adj acent said wheel, said device including a lever pivoted to move backwardly or forwardly, a

detent-disk fixed to the lever and having two teeth and a pair of oppositely-(lisposed camfaces and a notch therebetween, a doubleacting leaf-spring having its free end arra nged with a bend for engaging'in said notch or against said cam-faces for holding said lever upright or exerting a rotative force,

thereupon, and a pair of stops for limiting the rotary movement of said lever.

8. In a typewriting machine, the combina-' tion with a platen, and a line-spacing ratchetwheel therefor, of a fractional line-spacing device including a shaft above said ratchetwheel, a lever pivoted on said shaft, two teeth rigid with said lever, each tooth being arranged for-engaging between two cons cutive teeth of said ratchet-wheel for rotating the latter either forwardly or backwardly, a disk on said shaft having oppositely-disposed camfaces, a double-acting spring engageable with either of said cam-faces, for swinging a levertooth intoengagement with a tooth of said ratchet-wheel and rotating the latter, and two stops for arresting to and fro movements of said lever. Y

9. In a fractional line-spacing device for a typewriting machine, in combination, a linespacing ratchet-wheel, a lever, two teeth rigid with said lever and arranged to engage the teeth of said ratchet-wheelfor rotating the latterforwardly and backwardly by means of said lever, and means for latching said ratchet-wheel in any position to which it may be moved by said lever, said means including an adjustablestop on each side of said lever, a disk operatively connected with said lever. and rotatable about the axis thereof, two oppositely-disposed cam-faces on said disk. and a double-acting spring engageable with one or the other of said cam-faces upon an initial movement of said lever.

10. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and a-line-spacing wheel therefor, of a fractional line-spacing device including a lever for turning said wheel forwardly or backwardly through part of a linespace, a double-acting-spring-actuated mech- 'anism for pressing said lever, and means for and disposed over said. wheel, said plate having a portion thereof cut away, a bridge-piece secured to the plate, a bushing carried by said bridge-piece and. overlyingv said cut-away portion, a stub-shaft extending through said bushing beyond the inner side of said plate, a

lever fixed upon the outer end of said stubshaft, a detent carried by the inner end of said stub-shaft, a plate secured to saiddetent and including a pair of teeth spaced apart, so that one or the other engages with the notchedwheel when the lover is thrown in one direction or the other to turn the platen forwardly or backwardly through a fraction of a regular line-space, a stop on each side of said lever for limiting the throw thereof, and a detentspring cooperating with said detent for holding said lever in position when thrown against either of said stops.

12. In a typewriting machine, the combination with aplaten and a ratchet-wheel therefor, of a fractional line-spacing device including a double-acting spring, a lever urged by said spring, and a removable plate fixed to the lever, said plate including a pair of teeth spaced apart, in accordance with the pitch of the teeth of said wheel, so that one or the other operatively engages with the ratchet-wheel when the lever is thrown-to turn the platen forwardly or backwardly through a fraction of a regular line-space.

13. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and a line-spacing wheel therefor, of a fractional line-spacing device including a lever pivoted for movement adj a: cent said linespacing wheel, a cam-element fixed to said lover, a pair of stops for limiting the movement of said lever, double-acting resilient means co-operating with said camelement for pressing said lever, and teeth carried by said ca1n-element, said teeth being spaced apart,.so that one or the other engages with the line-spacing wheel when the lever is thrown in one direction or the other to turn the platen forwardly or backwardly through a fraction of aregular line-space.

14. In a typewriting machine, the combinat-ion with a, platen and a line-spacing wheel therefor, of a fractional line-spacing device arranged to be attached to the machine adj acent said wheel, said device including a lever pivoted to move backwardly or forwardly, a ca1n-element fixed to said lever and having a notch in the upper portion thereof, a pair of stops for limiting the forward and backward throw of said lever, and a double-acting detent-spring arranged to co-opcrate with said cain-elen'ient to press said lever against'the selected stop, or to engage said notch to hold the lever in vertical position when out of use.

15. In a-typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and a regular line-space mechanism including a notched-wheel, of a fractional line-spacing device comprising a cover-plate arranged to be secured upon the typewriting machine and including a depending apron having a portion thereof cut away, a brldge-plece fixed to the outer face of said apron, a bushing secured to said bridge-piece and overlying said cut-away portion, a stubshaft mounted in said bushing and havlng an reeasze end thereof disposed adjacent each side of said apron, a lever fixed to the end of said bushing which is disposed adjacent the outer side of said apron, a detent fixed to the end of said stub-shaft adjacent the inner side of said apron, said detent having a notch therein and a pair of cam-faces, a plate secured to said detent and including'teeth spaced apart, so that one or the other engages with the notched-wheel, when the lever is thrown in one direction or the other to turn the platen forwardly or backwardly through a fraction of a line-space, an adjustable stop on either side of said lever, and a detent-spring for en-' gaging said notch to hold the lever in inoperative position, or for co-operating with said cam-faces to hold said lever against either one of its stops.

16. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and a line-spacing wheel therefor, of a fractional linespacing device including a cover-plate and a depending apron, said apron being cut away approximately intermediate its ends, a lever pivoted adj acent the outer face of said apron, a shaft havinor one end thereof secured to said lever and extending through said cut-away portion, and a pair of spaced teeth in fixed relation with the other end of said shaft, and effective to engage said linespacing wheel to turn the platen forwardly or bacliwardly through a fraction of a line-space.

17. In a typewriting machine, the combina tion with a platen and a line-spacing wheel therefor, of a fractional line-spacing device arranged to be secured to the machine adja cent said line-spacing wheel, said device including a lever pivoted for movement backwardly and forwardly, a pair of teeth spaced apart, so that one or the other engages with the line-spacing wheel when the lever is thrown in one direction or the other, adjustable eccentric stops for limiting the throw of the lever, a detent'disk fixed to the lever and having a pair of cam-faces and a notch therebetween, and a double-acting detent-spring effective to co-ope-rate with said cam-faces to press the lever against the selected stop, or to engage said notch to hold the lever in position, when out of use.

18. A universal unitary fractional line spacing device adapted for use upon any of a number of typewriting machines having like platens, like platen-frames, and linespacing ratchet-wheels, but each having a different number of ratchet-wheel teeth, said device including a mounting plate arranged for being detachably mounted on any of said platenframes, adjustable instrumentalities on said mounting plate for fractionally line-spacing in either direction the ratchet-wheel of any of said machines, and a spring actuated means for holding any one of said platens securely in any fractional linespaee position to which it may be moved by said instrumentalities.

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19. For use with-a typewriting machine having a platen-frame, a platen, and a line spacing ratchet-wheel, a new article of manufacture including a universal unitary fractional line-spacing device which includes a mounting plate for detachably fastening on the platen-frame, and adjustable line-spacing instrumentalities on said mounting plate arranged for engaging the teeth of said ratchetwheel, rotating the latter with the platen a variable fraction of a line-space in either di rection, and securely holding the platen in its new position.

.20. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a pivoted lever, an adjustable stop on each side of said lever for arresting the movement thereof, two oppositely disposed camfaces having fixed relation with said lever adjacent the pivot axis thereof and having a notch between them, and a double-acting lea-ispring arranged for engaging in said notch or against the selected cam-face for holding said lever in vertical position, or pressing it continuously against the selected stop.

ALFRED G. F. KUROWSKI. 

